360 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



this story will do to go along with l'Encuerado's about the 

 glass-spider." 



The Indian started off straight to the bivouac, and I led 

 my companions by the side of the stream, admiring as we 

 passed some magnificent trees. One of these was covered 

 with brown fruit, with whitish insides, which had a rather 

 nice acidulated taste. I hastened to pick half a dozen of 

 them, knowing what a treat they would be to my servant. 



As we went on, the banks of the stream gradually be- 

 came lower, and ere long a lake, deliciously shaded by cy- 

 presses, poplars, oaks, and ebony-trees, opened to our view. 



I sat down upon a rock, with Sumichrast and Lucien by 

 my side, and from whence my eye could wander all over 

 the blue and transparent water. We kept silent, being 

 charmed with the smiling grandeur of this retired corner 

 of the world. Birds came flying by, and, settling down 

 close to us, warbled for an instant — then again took flight, 

 after having given us time to admire the rich colors of 

 their plumage. The motionless water was covered by 

 long-legged insects with transparent wings, which seemed 

 to skim over the polished surface as if impelled by some 

 invisible agency. Sometimes an azure and purple attired 

 dragon-fly flitted by, and all the insects fled at its ap- 

 proach, like sparrows before a hawk. A brilliantly-color- 

 ed butterfly dashed against the voracious insect, and a furi- 

 ous combat took place between them ; but the dragon-fly, 

 which was eventually the conqueror, was in turn vanquish- 

 ed by a bird. 



We were just moving off, when the deep water seemed 

 to be agitated, and, although on the surface the flies and 

 gnats continued their evolutions, the fish in hasty flight dis- 

 appeared, and communicated their terror even to the water- 

 snakes. A tortoise, however, seemed to deem it unnecessa- 

 ry to retreat, only drawing its head and feet under its shell. 



